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FORMULA 1: QUALIFYING FOR THE EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX

Lewis Hamilton scorched to his first pole position of the season in Valencia's street circuit, and was then set a new task by his team boss - win the remaining seven races of the season.

The world champion confirmed McLaren's victory at the last round was no fluke, as he headed the field in the baking heat for today's European Grand Prix.

And Heikki Kovalainen made it a clean sweep for McLaren for the first time this year, as the Finn grabbed the other front row spot for his best grid start of the season.

Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel took third and fourth, with championship leader Jenson Button fifth.

It was a great day for Mercedes, following their controversial start to the season, with their engines powering four of the top five cars.

"Mathematically we can still win the world championship," said McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh. "But we are not foolish enough to believe that it is likely. We are going to try and win every race to the end of the season."

McLaren's remarkable turn-around, which has taken them from the back of the grid to the front in just half a season, is without precedent in the past 20 years. But it has cost them £1.5m over budget.

"It could be the car that dominates the rest of this season," enthused former F1 ace David Coulthard.

Button, 29, admitted last night that his Brawn car has improved but is not in the same class as Hamilton's racer. But he said his sights are not on the Silver Arrows, just those title rivals ahead of him.

"The McLarens were very quick and impossible to catch, but it's not too bad," said Button.

"The McLarens really don't matter to me so much, it's more Sebastian [Vettel]. McLaren have won one race out of 17. I'd be very impressed if they come back for the championship - we'd have to do something seriously wrong!"

Button's mood rose when the fuel weights revealed that he is heavier and has a tactical advantage over all his rivals, except his team-mate.

Although the jury is still out on the improvements to his Brawn racer, it was Button (left) to blame and not his machinery. "I made a mistake in T4," he said. "It was miniscule and probably only the difference between fourth and fifth place.

"At least I am on the clean side of the track for the start."

Michael Schumacher's stand-in Luca Badoer could get the boot after one race.

The 38-year-old qualified last of the 20 cars for today's Grand Prix.

The first Italian to drive for Ferrari for 15 years was 2.5 seconds slower than his team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen, and 1.5secs behind new boy Jaime Alguersuari - 19th, contesting only his second Grand Prix.